Thickeners for surfactant-containing compositions

ABSTRACT

Use of neutralized or partially neutralized copolymers obtainable from  
     A) from 50 to 99% by weight of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and  
     B) from 1 to 50% by weight of at least one comonomer chosen from the groups a) to d) or also mixtures of different monomers from groups a) to d)  
     a) monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid esters with a saturated C 8 - to C 30 -alcohol  
     b) N-alkyl- or N,N-dialkyl-substituted carboxamides, the alkyl radicals independently of one another being aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkyl radicals having at least 8 to 18 carbon atoms,  
     c) vinyl esters of aliphatic C 8 - to C 30 -carboxylic acids,  
     d) C 8 - to C 18 -alkyl vinyl ethers,  
     for the preparation of hair cleansers.

[0001] The present invention relates to the use of hydrophobicallymodified polymers of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids asthickeners in hair cleansers, and to aqueous compositions which comprisethese polymers.

[0002] Thickeners are used widely to increase the viscosity of aqueouspreparations, for example in the field of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.Examples of frequently used thickeners are fatty acid polyethyleneglycol monoesters, fatty acid polyethylene glycol diesters, fatty acidalkanolamides, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, ethoxylated glycerol fattyacid esters, cellulose ethers, sodium alginate, polyacrylic acids andneutral salts.

[0003] The use of known thickeners is, however, depending on thepreparation to be thickened, associated with disadvantages. For example,the thickening action and the salt stability of the thickener can beunsatisfactory, and their incorporation into the preparation to bethickened can be hindered.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,921 (The B. F. Goodrich Company) describescopolymers comprising 95-50% by weight of monoethylenically unsaturatedcarboxylic acids and 5-50% by weight of an acrylic acid or methacrylicacid ester of a C₁₀-C₃₀ fatty alcohol. Optionally, the polymers can becrosslinked. The copolymers are used as thickeners for toothpastes andprinting pastes.

[0005] EP 0 268 164 (The B. F. Goodrich Company) describes the use ofcrosslinked copolymers of monoolefinically unsaturated acids (50-99% byweight) and alkyl esters of monoolefinically unsaturated acids (50-1% byweight) (crosslinked with pentaerythritol triallyl ether), which areknown under the CTFA name “Acrylates/C₁₀₋₃₀-Alkyl AcrylateCrosspolymer”. The latter are used to stabilize O/W emulsions incosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations such as, for example, skincreams, skin lotions and gels.

[0006] In WO 97/21744 (BASF Aktiengesellschaft) copolymers which have tobe crosslinked are used.

[0007] These polymers are precipitation polymers and are free-flowingpowders which are stirred into water and then neutralized. Thisneutralization step is necessary in order to convert the acidic polymersinto the carboxylates, which are ultimately responsible for theviscosity.

[0008] It is known that these crosslinked (hyhdrophobically modified)polyacrylic acids in the neutralized state react very sensitively tosalt. The viscosity breaks up. For this reason, it is unusual to usethese polymers in shampoo formulations as viscosity-imparting agents.Because of the salt concentrations present therein (surfactants,surfactant mixtures, NaCl as impurity in surfactants) it is not possiblefor viscosity to form. The presence of cationic auxiliaries leads tocomplex formation and precipitation.

[0009] EF 0128 237 (The B. F. Goodrich Company) describes weaklycrosslinked copolymers (0.1 to 1.0% by weight) of monoethylenicallyunsaturated carboxylic acids (95.5 to 98.9% by weight) and esters ofthese carboxylic acids (1 to 2.5% by weight) for use as thickeners in aprinting paste.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,881 (Dow Chemical Company) describescopolymers of water-soluble monomers such as, for example, acrylamide,acrylic acid etc., preferably the combinations thereof, andN-alkylacrylamides and acrylic esters. The hydrophilic/hydrophobicfraction ratios are from 98:2 mol % to 99.995:0.005 mol %, preferablyfrom 99:1 mol % to 99.9:0.1 mol %. The molecular weights are between200,000-5,000,000 g/mol, preferably between 800,000-2,5000,000 g/mol.The resulting polymers are used as dispersible hydrophobic thickeners,used in formulations comprising the described polymers, a nonionicsurface-active substance (HLB 2-15) and an inorganic salt for increasingthe viscosity of water.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,524 (Rohm and Haas Company) describes thecopolymerization of hydrophilic components (e.g. acrylamide, acrylicacid, N-vinylpyrrolidone etc.) with N-alkylacrylamides (alkyl-C₁₀ toC36, preferably C₁₂ to C₂₂). The copolymerization is carried out asprecipitation polymerization or polymerization in solution. Themolecular weight of the polymers described is Mw>30,000 g/mol. Theresulting polymers are used as thickeners of aqueous systems,sedimentation stabilizers, surface-active substances or dispersants.

[0012] WO 98/31334 describes hair conditioners which do not comprisesalts, are not clear and comprise water-insoluble components such assilicone oil and fatty alcohols as active component.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a thickenerwhich can be stirred into a formulation without problem. The formulationpreferably comprises at least one alkyl or alkenyl polyglycoside. Suchformulations are used inter alia in the cosmetics industry, inparticular in hair cleansers, in particular in shampoos. The resultingformulation should be clear and stable and thicken as a result of theaddition of the polymers according to the invention.

[0014] Surprisingly, we have now found that neutralized, hydrophobicallymodified polymers of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids arehighly suitable as thickeners for surfactant-containing compositions,e.g. in mild shampoo formulations, in particular for compositions whichcomprise an alkyl or alkenyl polyglycoside. The formulations accordingto the invention are clear. The abovementioned disadvantages are notobserved here.

[0015] We have found that this object is achieved by copolymers whichcomprise at least 50% by weight and at most 99% by weight ofmonoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. Preference is given topolymers containing at least 58% by weight and at most 99% by weight ofmonoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and very particularpreference is given to polymers with a content of monoethylenicallyunsaturated carboxylic acid of from 65% by weight to 99% by weight.

[0016] The polymers are prepared by free-radical polymerization of thecorresponding monomers, which in each case comprise at least 50% byweight of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid.

[0017] The hydrophobic component used is at least 1, at most 50% byweight of an a) monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid ester witha saturated C₈- to C₃₀-alcohol, preferably a C₈- to C₁₈-alcohol (e.g.octyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, nonyl acrylate, decyl acrylate,lauryl acrylate, myristyl acrylate, cetyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate,behenyl acrylate, hexyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, nonylmethacrylate, decyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, myristylmethacrylate, cetyl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, behenylmethacrylate, tert-butylcyclohexyl acrylate). In this connection,particular importance is attached to the acrylic or methacrylic estersof fatty alcohols having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0018] As an alternative to the monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylicacid esters, it is possible to also use b) N-alkyl- orN,N-dialkyl-substituted carboxamides, the alkyl radicals independentlyof one another being aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkyl radicals havingat least 8 carbon atoms (e-g. N-stearylacrylamide,N-stearylmetbacrylamide, N-(1-methyl)undecyl acrylate,N-(1-methyl)undecyl methacrylate, N-dodecylacrylamide,N-dodecylmethacrylamide, N-octylacrylamide, N-octylmethacrylamide,N,N-dioctylacrylamide, N,N-dioctylmethacrylamide, N-cetylacrylamide,N-cetylmethacrylamide, N-dodecylacrylamide, N-dodecylmethacrylamide,N-myristylacrylamide, N-myristylmethacrylamide,N-(2-ethyl)hexylacrylamide, N-(2-ethyl)hexylmethacrylamide.

[0019] Particular preference is given to C₈ to C₁₈-alkyl radicals.

[0020] As a further alternative to the monoethylenically unsaturatedcarboxylic acid esters, it is also possible to use c) vinyl esters oflong-chain aliphatic carboxylic acids (C₈ to C₃₀ carboxylic acids).Preference is given to using vinyl esters of C₈ to C₁₈ carboxylic acids.

[0021] In addition, it is possible to use d) alkyl vinyl ethers,preferably those containing C₈ to C₁₈-alkyl radicals.

[0022] It is of course also possible to use mixtures of two or morecarboxylic acid esters, carboxamides, vinyl esters or alkyl vinylethers, provided the sum of the contents of these comonomers does notexceed 50% by weight.

[0023] As the hydrophilic component, it is possible to use the followingcopolymerizable monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids (or elsemixtures thereof) (from 50 to 99% by weight, preferably from 58 to 99%by weight, particularly preferably from 65 to 99% by weight):

[0024] Monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids having from 3 to 8carbon atoms, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, dimethacrylicacid, ethacrylic acid, maleic acid, citraconic acid, methylenemalonicacid, allylacetic acid, vinylacetic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid,mesaconic acid and itaconic acid, are preferred.

[0025] From this group of monomers, preference is given to using acrylicacid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid or mixtures of said carboxylicacids.

[0026] The monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids can be used inthe copolymerization in the form of the free acid and—provided theyexist—the anhydrides, or in partially or in completely neutralized form.These monomers are preferably neutralized using alkali metal bases oralkaline earth metal bases, ammonia or amines, e.g. sodium hydroxidesolution, potassium hydroxide solution, soda, potash, sodium hydrogencarbonate, magnesium oxide, calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, gaseous oraqueous ammonia, triethylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine,triethanolamine, morpholine, diethylenetriamine ortetraethylenepentamine.

[0027] Other suitable comonomers are, for example, the C₁-C₄-esters,N-C₁-C₄-alkyl- or N,N-C₁-C₄-dialkyl-substituted amides, where the alkylradicals of the dialkylamide can be identical or different, and nitritesof the abovementioned carboxylic acids, e.g. methyl acrylate, ethylacrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethylacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxybutyl acrylate, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hydroxyisobutyl acrylate,hydroxyisobutyl methacrylate, monomethyl maleate, dimethyl maleate,monoethyl maleate, diethyl maleate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexylmethacrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-dimethylacrylamide,N-tert-butylacrylamide, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile,dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, diethylaminoethyl acrylate,diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and the salts of the last-named monomerswith carboxylic acids or mineral acids and the quaternized products.Each of the alkyl groups in the esters and amides can behydroxy-substituted.

[0028] In addition, other suitable copolymerizable monomers areacrylamidoglycolic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, allylsulfonic acid,methallylsulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, 3-sulfopropyl acrylate,3-sulfopropyl methacrylate and acrylamidomethylpropanesulfonic acid, andmonomers containing phosphonic acid groups, such as vinylphosphonicacid, allylphosphonic acid and acrylamidomethanepropanephosphonic acid.

[0029] Other suitable copolymerizable compounds are N-vinylpyrrolidone,N-vinylcaprolactam N-vinylimidazole, N-vinyl-2-methylimidazole,N-vinyl-4-methylimidazole, diallylammonium chloride, vinyl acetate andvinylpropionate. It is of course also possible to use mixtures of saidmonomers.

[0030] The monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and thehydrophobic component or components and, where present, the othersuitable monomers total 100%.

[0031] The copolymers are prepared by known processes, for examplesolution, precipitation or inverse suspension polymerization usingcompounds which form free radicals under the polymerization conditions.

[0032] The polymerization temperatures are usually in the range from 30°C. to 200° C., preferably from 40° C. to 140° C. Examples of suitableinitiators are azo and peroxy compounds, and the customary redoxinitiator systems, such as combinations of hydrogen peroxide andreductive compounds, e.g. sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodiumformaldehyde sulfoxylate and hydrazine.

[0033] The copolymers have K values of at least 10 and are essentiallyuncrosslinked. They preferably have a K value of from 12 to 70,particularly preferably from 15 to 50. The K values are determined inaccordance with H. Fikentscher, Cellulose-Chemie, Volume 13, 58 to 64and 71 to 74 (1932) in a 0.1 molar aqueous NaCl solution at 25° C., atconcentrations between 0.1% and 5% depending on the K value range.

[0034] The present invention also relates to aqueous compositions whichcomprise at least one neutralized or partially neutralized,hydrophobically modified polymeric carboxylic acid of the naturedescribed above, and at least one surfactant.

[0035] The invention further relates to aqueous compositions whichcomprise

[0036] a) at least one alkyl or alkenyl polyglycoside, in particular aC₈-C₁₈-alkyl or C₈-C₁₈-alkenyl polyglycoside,

[0037] b) at least one hydrophobically modified polymeric carboxylicacid having the composition described above,

[0038] c) optionally another surfactant different from a), and

[0039] d) a neutral salt and

[0040] e) other auxiliaries such as preservatives, emulsifiers, perfumeoils, care substances such as panthenol, collagen, vitamins, proteinhydrolysates, stabilizers, pH regulators, dyes, pearlizing agents,bodying agents, silicones, humectants, refatting agents, salts, acids(for example lactic acid, citric acid) and other customary additives.

[0041] The polyglycosides are preferably polyglucosides, which are ahomolog mixture obtained by acetylation of glucose with fatty alcohols.The average number of glucose units per molecule is in the range from 1to 3.

[0042] A preferred alkylpolyglucoside (APG) is Plantaren®, in which from1 to 7 glucose units are linked glycosidally to a fatty alcohol (usually12 carbon atoms). Preferably, 2 glucose units are linked.

[0043] The content of polyglucosides is preferably at most 60% byweight.

[0044] The abovedescribed polymers are generally present in thecompositions in an amount of at least 0.2% by weight, preferably up to30% by weight, particularly preferably in an amount of at least 0.5 to20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition

[0045] The surfactant present in the compositions according to theinvention may be anionic, nonionic, cationic or amphoteric.

[0046] Suitable anionic surfactants are, for example, alkyl sulfates,alkyl ether sulfates, alkylarylsulfonates, alkyl succinates, alkylsulfosuccinates, N-alkoyl sarcosinates, acyl taurates, acylisethionates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl ethercarboxylates, alpha-olefinsulfonates, in particular the alkali metal andalkaline earth metal salts, e.g. sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium,and ammonium and triethanolamine salts. The alkyl ether sulfates, alkylether phosphates and alkyl ether carboxylates can have between 1 and 10ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units, preferably from 1 to 3 ethyleneoxide units, in the molecule.

[0047] Suitable examples are sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laurylsulfate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium lauryl ether sulfate,sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium oleyl succinate, ammonium laurylsulfosuccinate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, triethanolaminedodecylbenzenesulfonate.

[0048] Suitable amphoteric surfactants are, for example, alkylbetaines,alkylamidopropylbetaines, alkylsulfobetaines, alkyl glycinates, alkylcarboxyglycinates, alkylamphoacetates or -propionates, alkylamphodiacetates or -dipropionates.

[0049] For example, cocamidopropylbetaine or sodium cocamphopropionatecan be used.

[0050] Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants are the reactionproducts of aliphatic alcohols or alkylphenols having from 6 to 20carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, which can be linear or branched, withethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide. The amount of alkylene oxide isfrom about 6 to 60 mols per mol of alcohol.

[0051] Also suitable are alkylamine oxides, mono- ordialkyl-alkanolamides, fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycols,ethoxylated fatty acid amides, alkylpolyglycosides or sorbitan etheresters.

[0052] In addition, the formulations (e.g. shampoo formulations) cancomprise customary cationic surfactants, such as, for example,quaternary ammonium compounds, for example cetyltrimethylammoniumchloride.

[0053] In addition, other customary cationic polymers can also be used,such as, for example, copolymers of acrylamide anddimethyldiallylammonium chloride (polyquaternium-7), cationic cellulosederivatives (polyquaternium-10), guar hydroxypropyltrimethylammoniumchloride (INCI: Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride),copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and quaternized N-vinylimidazole(polyquaternium-16, -44, -46) and others.

[0054] For additional thickening, the compositions according to theinvention can comprise a neutral salt, in particular sodium sulfate and,preferably, sodium chloride. The neutral salt is generally present in anamount of from 0.1 to 10% by weight, in particular from 0.5 to 5% byweight.

[0055] Other additional thickeners which can be used in the formulationsare, for example, PEG-55, propylene glycol oleate, PEG-120 methylglucose dioleate and others.

[0056] In addition, the compositions according to the invention cancomprise customary auxiliaries and additives known to the person skilledin the art, for example preservatives, emulsifiers, perfume oils, caresubstances such as panthenol, collagen, vitamins, protein hydrolysates,stabilizers, pH regulators, dyes, pearlizing agents, bodying agents,silicones, humectants, refatting agents, salts, acids (for examplelactic acid, citric acid) and other customary additives.

[0057] The polymers according to the invention can also be mixed withtraditional polymers customary in cosmetics in cases where very specificproperties are to be set.

[0058] Other suitable cosmetics polymers (e.g. in shampoo formulations)are, for example, cationic polymers having the name poly-quaterniumaccording to INCI, e.g. copolymers ofvinyl-pyrrolidone/N-vinylimidazolium salts (Luviquat® FC, Luvquate® HM,Luviquat® MS, Luviquat® Care), copolymers ofN-vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, quaternized withdiethyl sulfate (Luviquat® PQ11), copolymers ofN-vinyl-caprolactam/N-vinylpyrrolidone/N-vinylimidazolium salts(Luvquat® Hold); cationic cellulose derivatives (polyquaternium-4 and-10), acrylamide copolymers (polyquaternium-7), cationic guar gumderivatives.

[0059] Other sutiable cosmetics polymers (e.g. in hair cosmetics) arealso neutral polymers, such as polyvinylpyrrolidones, copolymers ofN-vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate and/or vinyl propionate,polysiloxanes, polyvinylcaprolactam and copolymers withN-vinylpyrrolidone, polyethylenimines and salts thereof, polyvinylaminesand salts thereof, cellulose derivatives, polyasparatic acid salts andderivatives.

[0060] To set specific properties, the preparations can also compriseconditioning substances based on silicone compounds. Suitable siliconecompounds are, for example, polyalkylsiloxanes, polyarylsiloxanes,polyarylalkylsiloxanes, polyether siloxanes or silicone resins.

[0061] In each case based on the total weight, the aqueous compositionsaccording to the invention generally comprise:

[0062] from 0.2 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 15% by weight,of at least one polymer having the composition described above,

[0063] from 0 to 50% by weight of at least one surfactant and

[0064] from 0.5 to 50% by weight of at least one alkyl or alkylenepolyglycoside,

[0065] based on the total weight of the aqueous formulation.

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment, the aqueous compositionsaccording to the invention comprise:

[0067] a) from 0.2 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 15% byweight, of at least one polymer having the composition described above;

[0068] b) from 1 to 50% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant, inparticular an alkyl ether sulfate;

[0069] c) from 0.5 to 50% by weight of at least one C₈-C₁₈-alkyl orC₈-C₁₈-alkenyl polyglycoside;

[0070] d) from 0 to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 3% by weight,of at least one neutral salt,

[0071] based on the total weight of the aqueous formulation.

[0072] These compositions according to the invention are prepared in thecustomary manner, it being possible to use the polymers described assuch or as aqueous solutions. It is typical to stir in the thickeningagent into the aqueous surfactant mixture. Auxiliaries can be stirredinto the thickened mixture without problems.

[0073] The compositions according to the invention are, in particular,cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions. Preferred cosmetic compositionsare haircare compositions, in particular shampoos. The polymersdescribed can, however, also be used in industrial preparations, such ashydraulic fluids, cleaning preparations, crop-treatment compositions,printing inks, coating compositions and preparations for animalnutrition.

[0074] The examples below illustrate the invention without limiting it.

EXAMPLES

[0075] The following thickeners were used according to the invention:Acrylic acid/stearyl methacrylate Polymer K value *) (% by weight) 1 2870/30 2 15 70/30 3 25 78/22 4 30 65/35

[0076] The surfactant mixtures below were formulated using variouspolymers as thickeners; the specific compositions are summarized inTable 1: Formulation 1 Decyl glucoside 8% Sodium laureth sulfate 4%Thickener q.s. NaCl q.s. Citric acid q.s. Water ad 100% Formulation 2Sodium/Mg laureth sulfate Sodium/Mg oleth sulfate 10%  Lauryl glucoside4% Cocoamidopropylbetain 3% Polyquaternium-16 2% Thickener q.s. Citricacid q.s. Water ad 100% Formulation 3 Lauryl glucoside 13% Cocoamidopropylbetain 5% Cocotrimonium methosulfate 2% Hydrolyzed wheatgluten 2% Thickener q.s. Citric acid q.s. Preservative   0.1% Water ad100%

[0077] TABLE 1 (according to the invention) Polymer NaCl content conc.Viscosity Appear- Formulation Polymer [%] [%] [mPas]¹⁾ ance pH 1 1 3 3 3500 clear 6.1 5 3 12000 clear 6.1 5 1  7900 clear 6.2 5 0  1000 clear6.6 2 3 3  1200 clear 5.9 5 3  7000 clear 6.0 3 3 3  3700 clear 5.8 5 310800²⁾ clear 6.1 2 1 3 0 40000³⁾ clear 6.5 1 0 12700 clear 6.5 3 1 0.5— 10100²⁾ clear

[0078] TABLE 2 (Comparative Examples) Polymer NaCl Formu- content conc.Viscosity lation Polymer [%] [%] [mPas]¹⁾ Appearance pH 1 Pemulen 3 340600¹⁾ White, 5.9 TR 1*) solid, slimy Dto. 1 — 15000²⁾ white, slimy 5.82 Pemulen 3 — 52000³⁾ white, TR 1 solid, slimy 6.1

We claim:
 1. The use of neutralized or partially neutralized copolymersobtainable from A) from 50 to 99% by weight of monoethylenicallyunsaturated carboxylic acid and B) from 1 to 50% by weight of at leastone comonomer chosen from the groups a) to d) or also mixtures ofdifferent monomers from groups a) to d) a) monoethylenically unsaturatedcarboxylic acid esters with a saturated C₈- to C₃₀-alcohol b) N-alkyl-or N,N-dialkyl-substituted carboxamides, the alkyl radicalsindependently of one another being aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkylradicals having at least 8 to 18 carbon atoms, c) vinyl esters ofaliphatic C₈- to C₃₀-carboxylic acids, d) C₈- to C₁₈-alkyl vinyl ethers,for the preparation of hair cleansers.
 2. The use of copolymers asclaimed in claim 1, wherein component A is a C₃- to C₈-monoethylenicallyunsaturated carboxylic acid and is present in an amount of from 65 to99% by weight.
 3. The use of copolymers as claimed in either of claims 1or 2 obtainable from additionally C) more than 0 to at most 49% byweight of at least one comonomer chosen from groups e) to h) or elsemixtures of different monomers from groups e) to h) e) C₁- to C₄-alkylester of a monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid C, f) N-C₁- toC₄-alkyl- or N,N-C₁- to C₄-dialkyl-substituted carboxamide of amonoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid C, it being possible forthe alkyl radicals of the dialkylamide to be identical or different, g)nitrile of a monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid C, h)acrylamidoglycolic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, allylsulfonic acid,methallylsulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, 3-sulfopropyl acrylate,3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, acrylamidomethylpropanesulfonic acid,vinylphosphonic acid, allylphosphonic acid,acrylamidomethanepropanephosphonic acid, N-vinylpyrrolidone,N-vinylcaprolactam, N-vinylimidazole, N-vinyl-2-methylimidazole,N-vinyl-4-methylimidazole, diallylammonium chloride, vinyl acetate andvinyl propionate, where the alkyl groups can be substituted withhydroxyl groups, and the monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid Ccan be chosen independently of one another for groups e), f), g) from:acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, dimethacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid,maleic acid, citraconic acid, methylenemalonic acids allylacetic acid,vinylacetic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, mesaconic acid anditaconic acid, for the preparation of hair cleansers.
 4. A compositioncomprising: a) at least one alkyl or alkenyl polyglycoside, b) at leastone polymer as in one of claims 1 to 3, c) optionally at least one othersurfactant, and d) at least one neutral salt.
 5. An aqueous compositionas claimed in claim 4, comprising from 0.2 to 30% by weight of polymerb).
 6. A composition as claimed in claim 5, comprising: a) from 0.5 to60% by weight of an alkyl or alkenyl polyglycoside, b) from 0.2 to 30%by weight of a polymer as in one of claims 1 to 3, c) from 1 to 50% byweight of an anionic surfactant, and d) from 0.1 to 5% by weight of aneutral salt, based on the total weight of the aqueous formulation.
 7. Acomposition as claimed in one of claims 4 to 6, comprising: a) from 0.5to 50% by weight of an alkyl or alkenyl polyglycoside, b) from 0.2 to20% by weight of a polymer as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, based onthe total weight of the aqueous formulation.
 8. A composition as claimedin claim 7, comprising: a) from 0.5 to 50% by weight of a C₈-C₁₈-alkylor C₈-C₁₈-alkenylpolyglycoside, b) from 0.5 to 15% by weight of apolymer as claimed in one of claims 1 to
 3. 9. A composition as claimedin one of claims 4 to 8 in the form of a cosmetic product.
 10. A processfor increasing the viscosity of surfactant-containing compositions,where a thickening amount of at least one polymer as in one of claims 1to 3 is added to the composition.